Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Shallow Soils at an Active Airport. Ann A. Baines, Nicholas J. DeSalvo, Allison C. Phillips, and Robin A. Streeter, ERM, 855 Springdale Drive, Exton, PA 19341; and 1777 Botello Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Shallow soils in and around airport runways and taxiways contain residual concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These PAHs are formed during the heating of petroleum fuel mixtures, and are thus present in jet exhaust during take off and landing. While this fact is widely known, there is very little published data to document the concentrations of PAHs in soil that occur as a result of routine airport activities. This paper presents and statistically evaluates PAH soil data for surface soil samples collected at an international airport in the northeastern portion of the United States that has been in operation for over 75 years. One hundred and thirty-five sampling stations were arranged in a grid pattern over approximately 60 acres. The grid transects were spaced at 400 foot intervals from west to east and 100 foot intervals from north to south. The results of this analysis document the range of anthropogenic concentrations associated with airplane usage of runway and taxiway areas. These data may be used to interpret PAH concentrations in shallow soils that exist as a result of routine operations at an active airport. These data may also be used to better define remedial objectives for similar sites, since anthropogenic PAHs such as these do not require remediation under CERCLA or RCRA.